Tradespeople who use Ford's Plug-In Hybrid Pro Power Onboard system on the likes of the Ranger pickup could save more than €1,400 a year, writes Brian Byrne, using it for just one hour each working day instead of a petrol generator.
Company tests compared the vehicle's 6.9kW onboard power system with a typical 4kW portable petrol generator in worksite scenarios like charging tools, running heaters and boiling kettles. Ford says the integrated system used about half the fuel once warm, and even less with battery support, while also producing far lower emissions.
For Irish tradespeople and farmers, Ford says the setup could cut fuel costs, reduce admin, and free up space normally taken by a generator and fuel cans.
